When the Board of Directors of First Descents was tasked with figuring out what our “vision” or most far reaching success was through our programs, a lot of ideas were thrown out there. From curing cancer to changing the world, we all had very grand ideas of what our purpose as an organization is. It was then, amidst the think-tank chaos that our Vice Chair Rob Mitchell spoke up with some of the wisest words I have ever heard. He asked “Has any participant told us that we have changed their life?” The answer was of course, yes. He then asked, “Why look further?” His question was met with blank stares like a 3rd grade math class after their teacher just explained multiplication tables for the first time. He kindly went on, “If you set out to make change and at the end of the day know that you changed one life, you have succeeded. There is no need to look any further. Just keep changing one life at a time.” It makes sense. If you can’t change one life, you can’t change 1,000. That is where the ripple effect begins and when it begins, there is little you can do to control or predict how far it will go.
A friend of mine recently posted a video (see below) that he made about four First Descents alum who are teaming up to compete in an adventure race (it will be a first time for all of them) to raise money for FD so that others may have the same life changing experience they had. The video he made brought proud tears to my eyes. I’ll be honest, I was sobbing like one might when watching Rudy for the first time. This video illustrates an outer ring of the ripple effect that I could never have predicted. These young adults were challenging themselves physically, as a team, because of their experience at FD. They didn’t know each other before attending, had never kayaked before, never done an adventure race…you get the idea. Over the course of one week, they faced a new challenge, created new bonds and took that message forward with them into their lives after FD.
After seeing the video, I proudly posted it on my Facebook “status”. Within minutes comments were pouring in about how inspirational it is. One message in particular demonstrated yet another ripple that I would have never guessed. Here it is,
“Hey Brad,
Just wanted to say thanks for everything you’re doing and for sharing tid bits of inspiration like that video today. I was in full self-pity mode trying to battle some personal daemons about my less than optimal personal health. I had actually just finished writing an email to a friend about how knowing that there are people out there who have made it through much worse doesn’t always help me to get things in perspective. Watching that video completely helped me to snap my head back on straight.
Seriously, thank you.
I’m still working to get to a point financially where I can do more. If you ever need any help in the Bay Area, I’m here.
I hope all is well with you and yours,
J.
Giving doesn’t have to be complicated, planned out or understood. Focus only on changing one life. Throw that one stone and the ripples will follow.
